An estimated 25,000 people were sterilized in Japan from 1948 as part of a government program - more than 16,000 of them against their will.
Now the Japanese government has apologized for this action against people with disabilities. The parliament brought a law to the reparation on the way, which provides among other things a compensation money of converted approximately 25.500 euro per affected person.
The law allowing forced sterilization of disabled people in Japan was in force from 1948 to 1996. It allowed the sterilization of people with intellectual disabilities or hereditary diseases. Violent abortions were also allowed.
Just recently, about 20 people were brought to justice against the human rights violation, which also killed children. A first verdict is expected in May. Victim lawyers described the one-off compensation payment as insufficient.